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EP 1 179 439 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
(45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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23.06.2004 Bulletin 2004/26 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 30.07.2001 |
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(51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B44C 3/12 |
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(54) |
Device to produce mosaic panels, relative method and mosaic panels thus obtained
Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Mosaikpanelen, Verfahren und die damit hergestellten
Panele
Dispositif de fabrication de panneaux de mosaique, procédé et panneaux produits
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
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Designated Extension States: |
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RO |
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Priority: |
10.08.2000 IT UD000155
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Date of publication of application: |
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13.02.2002 Bulletin 2002/07 |
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Proprietor: Bisazza SpA |
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33097 Spilimbergo (PN) (IT) |
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Inventors: |
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- Bisazza, Giancarlo
36100 Vicenza (IT)
- Besoli, Aldo
36075 Montecchio Maggiore (VI) (IT)
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Representative: Petraz, Gilberto et al |
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GLP S.r.l.
Piazzale Cavedalis 6/2 33100 Udine 33100 Udine (IT) |
(56) |
References cited: :
EP-A- 0 913 272 DE-B- 1 144 159 DE-U- 29 917 194 US-A- 2 931 751 US-A- 5 445 696
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DE-A- 2 432 509 DE-U- 1 862 732 IT-A- 288 853 US-A- 5 252 166
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- PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 002, no. 063 (M-019), 13 May 1978 (1978-05-13) & JP
53 023788 A (MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD), 4 March 1978 (1978-03-04)
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention concerns a device and the relative method to produce panels of mosaic
tesserae.
[0002] To be more exact, the invention concerns a device suitable to apply in line a sheet
which can function either as a support or a lining, at least on the visible face of
a plurality of tesserae, arranged inside a containing frame advancing on a substantially
plane conveyor belt.
[0003] The supporting/lining sheet thus applied can be removed when the mosaic panel is
applied on a wall which is to be covered or embellished.
[0004] The invention also concerns the mosaic panels thus obtained.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In the production of panels made with mosaic tesserae, used to cover walls or floors
in general, it is known to produce the individual mosaic tesserae by means of a suitable
molding machine starting from a cast of glass material; the individual tesserae are
then put into a suitable frame which defines the shape and size of the panel to be
obtained.
[0006] Normally, the frames are square or rectangular, and have a plurality of seatings,
each of which is able to house at least a single tessera.
[0007] The panels are then fed to suitable machines which, normally by gluing, apply on
said panels a sheet or mesh of plastic or paper material, or of glass fibre, which
acts as a support for the tesserae and provides the adequate consistency needed to
package, transport, handle and apply the panels.
[0008] For example, a conventional method consists of applying a mesh of nylon, glass fibre
or similar material on the non-visible face of the tesserae; when the tesserae are
laid, the mesh is associated definitively with the surface on which it has to be applied,
together with the relative tesserae of the mosaic.
[0009] This solution has the advantage that it allows to control the alignment and the quality
of the material; however, the supporting mesh can cause pieces of the tesserae to
become locally detached and uneven, which in some cases can create problems of an
aesthetic nature.
[0010] The second type of support used in conventional methods consists of a paper or plastic
sheet, not transparent, which is temporarily glued on the visible side of the mosaic
tesserae, and then detached therefrom, during the laying stage, after the mosaic tesserae
have been glued to the surface on which they can be applied.
[0011] In both cases, after the support has been applied, it is necessary to pass the panel
inside a drying furnace, in order to dry the glue on the support and make the support
stably attached to the tesserae.
[0012] Therefore, conventional machines are generally very bulky and need long cycle times
to obtain the finished product ready for assembling and packing.
[0013] US-A-5,252,166 and US-A-5,445,696 teach to apply a transparent adhesive sheet at
least on the visible face of a panel of mosaic tesserae to hold them together before
assembly.
[0014] The present Applicant has devised and embodied this invention to overcome these shortcomings
and to obtain further advantages as described hereafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The invention is set forth and characterized in the respective main claims, while
the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the main embodiment.
[0016] The purpose of the invention is to achieve a device to produce panels consisting
of glass mosaic tesserae which will allow to apply, in stable fashion, a supporting
sheet on at least one face of the tesserae, in contained spaces, using limited equipment
and in very limited cycle times.
[0017] The device according to the invention is applied in cooperation with a substantially
linear conveyor belt; the tesserae on which the supporting sheet is to be applied
advance on the frames which are suitably distanced from each other; the frames define
the shape and size of the panel or tile to be made.
[0018] The device comprises means to feed the supporting sheet to be applied, normally consisting
of a reel located on a winding shaft, either driven or idle, and means to apply the
supporting sheet cooperating with the belt conveying the frames with the tesserae.
[0019] According to the invention, the application means consist of shearing means able
to cut to size the supporting sheet to be applied, and of at least a suction type
drum; the sheet, already cut to size, to be applied to the frame containing the mosaic
tesserae, winds on said drum and is at least temporarily held thereon.
[0020] The suction drum is provided, on its cylindrical surface, with a plurality of holes
through which suction is exerted on the sheet to be applied to the tesserae. In this
way the sheet remains adherent to the cylindrical surface of the drum, even after
it has been cut by the shearing means.
[0021] As it rotates, the drum thus feeds the sheet from the reel from which it is unwound
to the mosaic tesserae, eliminating the need to use other drawing means and at the
same time keeping the sheet well flattened against its cylindrical surface. The sheet
is not therefore subjected to drawing forces which would stretch and damage it.
[0022] In a preferential variant, the application means also comprise at least a pressure
roller, arranged immediately downstream of the suction drum, which is able to press
the supporting sheet against the frame with the tesserae and to achieve a stable attachment.
[0023] According to the invention, whether the sheet be of plastic, paper or other suitable
material, it has the face which is to be applied to the tesserae already equipped
with gluing means.
[0024] In the application step the face of the sheet without the glue adheres to the suction
drum for an angle sufficient to invert the direction of feed of the sheet, in order
to arrange the face which is to couple with the tesserae, and which does have glue,
facing said tesserae.
[0025] Then the shearing means intervene on the sheet which is partly wound on the suction
drum and cut a desired length of sheet to be applied. The segment of sheet is held
by the suction drum for the section where the direction is inverted, and then released
when it is in a position facing the frame with the tesserae.
[0026] To release the segment of sheet, the suction drum has clamping means to block the
suction at least for the section of surface of the drum which faces the conveyor belt,
and for an amplitude such as to substantially cover the size of the frame containing
the tesserae.
[0027] The segment of sheet released by the suction drum and resting on the frame advancing
on the conveyor belt is then attached stably by means of the pressure exerted by the
pressure roller arranged downstream of the suction drum.
[0028] In a preferential embodiment, the suction drum is equipped with an alternate vertical
movement, performed during the passage of every frame below it, in order to create
enough space for the passage thereof without interfering with the suction drum on
the conveyor belt.
[0029] According to another variant, in the event that the sheet to be applied comprises
at least two layers, of which the first is able to be arranged on the mosaic tesserae,
while at least a second is able to hold the glue and to be removed when the first
layer comes into contact with the suction drum, the device according to the invention
also comprises a winding roller, arranged substantially parallel to the suction drum
and able to rewind the second layer after it has been detached from said first layer.
[0030] According to another variant, the device includes means able to perform a heating
action on the surface of the tesserae before the application of the supporting sheet,
in order to remove and eliminate any possible formation of condensation which might
reduce the efficacy of the adhesion of the sheet and, at a later time, cause localized
detachments and bulges.
[0031] In a first embodiment, said heating action is performed by means of a bar which delivers
a flow of hot air. According to a variant, a radiating device is used, for example
of the type with microwaves, or any other type of heating element.
[0032] In a preferential embodiment, also according to the environmental conditions of temperature
and humidity where the application is performed, said heating is carried out at a
temperature of between about 20 and about 40 °C.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] These and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following
description of the preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example,
with reference to the attached drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side view of the device according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a plane view of the device in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a side view of a variant of the device in Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0034] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a device to produce panels 11 of glass mosaics is
denoted in its entirety by the reference number 10.
[0035] The device 10 is used to apply a segment 12a of sheet 12 which can act either as
a support or a lining, when cut to size, on a plurality of glass mosaic tesserae 13
housed inside a frame 14 which advances in linear fashion on a conveyor belt 15.
[0036] The face of the sheet 12 on which the tesserae 13 are applied is already adhesive.
[0037] In a first embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sheet 12 is made of transparent
material, such as polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other material with similar
characteristics.
[0038] According to a variant, as shown in Fig. 3, the sheet 12 is made of paper.
[0039] The sheet 12 is fed, in this case, from a reel 16 mounted on a supporting shaft 17
which can be idle or associated with rotation means.
[0040] From the reel 16 the sheet 12 is wound with its non-adhesive face onto a hollow drum
18.
[0041] The drum 18 is equipped inside with means (not shown) able to create a depression
and, on its cylindrical surface, with a plurality of holes 19 which create a suction
from inside to outside against the surface of the drum 18.
[0042] Downstream of the first zone of contact between the sheet 12 and the drum 18 there
are cutting means 20 able to cut the sheet 12 to size, creating a segment 12a correlated
to the size of the frame 14 inside which the tesserae 13 are contained.
[0043] To be more exact, the sheet 12 is cut to a size such that it does not completely
cover the panel or tile of mosaic tesserae 13, leaving free an edge of a few millimetres
in correspondence with the perimeter, to keep the gaps between one tile and the adjacent
ones exposed.
[0044] The segment 12a of the sheet 12, after it has been cut, stays attached to the outer
surface of the drum 18 due to the suction exerted through the holes 19.
[0045] The segment 12a of the sheet 12 remains clamped against the cylindrical surface of
the suction drum 18 and rotates at least through an angle such as to determine an
inversion of direction, and hence its glued face is positioned facing downwards, that
is to say, towards the frame 14 with the tesserae 13.
[0046] When the segment 12a is exactly facing the frame 14, since the rotation movements
of the drum 18 and the conveyor belt 15 are synchronized, the suction of the drum
18 is locally interrupted and the segment 12a rests on the surface of the tesserae
13 facing upwards.
[0047] The systems to interrupt the suction of the drum 18 when the sheet 12 is released
can be chosen from among conventional systems and are not therefore shown in the drawings.
[0048] For example, a first solution can provide mechanical means consisting of a fixed
sector arranged inside the drum 18 for a zone correlated to the size of the frame
14 containing the tesserae 13.
[0049] Another solution can provide that the means able to create suction are distributed
substantially over the entire circumference of the drum 18 and some of them can be
selectively de-activated, and then immediately re-activated, according to commands
given by position sensors which monitor the position of the sheet 12 with respect
to the frame 14.
[0050] During the step when the sheet 12 is applied, while the sheet 12 is being released
or immediately afterwards, the suction drum 18 is raised in order to release the interference
and allow the frame 14 to pass.
[0051] Downstream of the suction drum 18 there is a pressure roller 21, the function of
which is to press the segment 12a of the sheet 12 against the surface of the tesserae
13, to render the coupling stable.
[0052] In the event that the sheet 12 consists of paper, the device 10 also comprises a
plurality of nozzles 22, arranged above the conveyor belt 15, near the drum 18, and
able to spray the surface of the tesserae 13 with steam or nebulized water, to facilitate
the adherence of the adhesive on the sheet 12 to the mosaic tesserae 13.
[0053] In the solution shown with a line of dashes in Fig. 1, in a desired position upstream
of the zone where the sheet 12 is applied on the frame 14 there is a bar 24 able to
selectively deliver a flow of hot air, for example at a temperature of between 20
and 40°C, in order to remove any possible formation of condensation from the surface
of the tesserae 13.
[0054] This heating can, for example, be actuated in the presence of particular environmental
conditions, for example in winter periods, when it is possible to have the formation
of drops of condensation on the face of the tesserae 13 to which the sheet 12 is to
be applied; this condensation can prejudice the efficacy of the adhesion of the sheet
12.
[0055] It is clear that instead of the bar delivering hot air 24 any other heating system
can be provided, for example a radiating system with microwaves, infra-red rays or
the like.
[0056] By using transparent sheets 12 to support or line the tesserae 13, it is possible
to control the quality thereof at any moment, and to lay them more easily, since their
visible face is not hidden by the sheet 12 positioned above them.
[0057] In this way, during the laying step, it is easier for the worker to perform the operations
of adjustment and alignment because he can see the arrangement of the tesserae through
the transparent film and correct any possible imprecisions.
[0058] Since the tesserae have a free face in contact with the surface to which they are
to be applied, it is also possible to adapt the panel or the tesserae 13 to possible
shapings or irregularities on said surface.
[0059] With reference to Fig. 3, in the event that the sheet 12 to be applied comprises
at least two layers 112 and 212, of which the first layer 112 is able to be arranged
on the mosaic tesserae 13, while the second layer 212 is able to hold the glue and
be removed when the first layer 112 comes into contact with the suction drum 18, the
device according to the invention also comprises a winding roller 23, arranged substantially
parallel to the suction drum 18 and able to rewind said second layer 212 after it
has been detached from the first layer 112.
[0060] In this case a return roller 25 is positioned between the reel 16 and the suction
drum 18.
[0061] It is obvious that modifications or additions may be made to the device described
heretofore, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0062] It is also obvious that, although the invention has been described with reference
to some specific examples, a skilled person shall certainly be able to achieve many
other equivalent forms of device to produce mosaic panels, all of which shall come
within the field and scope of this invention.
1. Device to produce panels of mosaic tesserae (13), used to apply at least a supporting
and/or lining sheet (12) on a visible face of said tesserae (13) arranged inside an
advancing frame (14), said device comprising feeding means (16) and application means
for applying said sheet (12) cooperating with the feeding means of said frame (14),
characterized in that said application means comprise cutting means (20) able to cut to size a segment
(12a) of said sheet (12) and suction drum rotating means (18) able to retain at least
temporarily, on their outer cylindrical surface, said segment (12a) of sheet (12)
and to release it onto said mosaic tesserae (13).
2. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said cutting means (20) are able to act on said sheet (12) when it is held on the
outer surface of said suction drum means (18).
3. Device as in claim 1 or 2, wherein said sheet (12) has a face equipped with gluing
means, characterized in that said sheet (12) is able to wind on said suction drum means (18) with its face without
gluing means and for an angle such as to invert the direction of feed and present
its face equipped with gluing means facing towards said frame (14).
4. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least a pressure roller (21) arranged downstream of said suction
drum means (18), said pressure roller (21) being able to press the segment (12a) of
said sheet (12) against the surface of said tesserae (13) to achieve the stable attachment
thereof.
5. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said suction drum means (18) comprise a hollow drum equipped inside with means able
to create a depression and with a plurality of holes (19) on its cylindrical outer
surface.
6. Device as in claim 5, characterized in that said suction drum means (18) comprise means able to interrupt the suction at least
in the step when the segment (12a) of said sheet (12) is released in correspondence
with a relative frame (14) containing said tesserae (13).
7. Device as in claim 6, characterized in that said means able to interrupt the suction comprise mechanical means arranged inside
said hollow drum (18) for a zone correlated substantially to the size of said frame
(14).
8. Device as in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means (22) to deliver steam or nebulized water arranged in cooperation
with the visible face of said mosaic tesserae (13) and able to deliver a jet against
said face to re-activate the glue on said sheet (12).
9. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said suction drum means (18) are equipped with an alternate lifting/lowering movement
to allow the free transit of the frame (14) after the segment of sheet (12) has been
released.
10. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it is able to apply said supporting and/or lining sheet (12) on the visible face
of said tesserae (13).
11. Device as in any claim from 3 to 10 inclusive, characterized in that, in the event that said sheet (12) to be applied comprises at least two layers (112
and 212), of which a first layer (112) is able to be arranged on said mosaic tesserae
(13) and at least a second layer (212) is able to hold the glue and to be removed
when said first layer (112) comes into contact with said suction drum (18), a winding
roller (23) is arranged substantially parallel to said suction drum (18) to rewind
said second layer (212) after it has been detached from said first layer (112).
12. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises means (24) able to heat the visible face of said tesserae (13) arranged
upstream of said means to apply said sheet (12).
13. Device as in claim 12, characterized in that said means able to heat the visible face of said tesserae (13) comprise at least
a bar (24) delivering a flow of hot air.
14. Device as in claim 12, characterized in that said means able to heat the visible face of said tesserae (13) comprise at least
a radiating heating device.
15. Method to produce panels of mosaic tesserae (13) and in particular to apply at least
a supporting and/or lining sheet (12) on a visible face of the mosaic tesserae (13)
arranged inside an advancing frame (14), the method using feeding means (16) and application
means for applying said sheet (12) cooperating with the feeding means of said frame
(14), characterized in by the steps of: a) providing cutting means (20) for cutting to size a segment (12a)
of the sheet (12); b) retaining, at least temporarily, on the outer cylindrical surface
of suction drum rotating means (18), said segment (12a) of sheet (12); and c) releasing
said segment onto said frame (14) containing said mosaic tesserae (13).
16. Method as in claim 15, wherein said sheet (12) has a face equipped with gluing means,
characterized in that it provides that said sheet (12) winds on said suction drum means (18) with its face
without gluing means and for an angle such as to invert the direction of feed and
to present its face equipped with gluing means facing towards said frame (14).
17. Method as in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that it provides that at least a pressure roller (21), arranged downstream of said suction
drum means (18), presses the segment of sheet (12) against the surface of said tesserae
(13) to achieve the stable attachment thereof.
18. Method as in any claim from 15 to 17 inclusive, characterized in that it provides to interrupt the suction of said suction drum means (18) at least in
the step when the segment of sheet (12) is released in correspondence with a relative
frame (14) containing said tesserae (13).
19. Method as in any claim from 15 to 18 inclusive, characterized in that means (22) to deliver steam or nebulized water, arranged in cooperation with the
visible face of said mosaic tesserae (13), deliver a jet against said visible face
to re-activate the glue arranged on said sheet (12).
20. Method as in any claim from 15 to 19 inclusive, characterized in that it provides to move said suction drum means (18) alternately up and down to allow
the free transit of the frame (14) after the segment (12a) of sheet (12) has been
released.
21. Method as in any claim from 15 to 20 inclusive, characterized in that it provides to apply said supporting and/or lining sheet (12) onto the visible face
of said tesserae (13).
22. Method as in any claim from 15 to 21 inclusive, characterized in that heating means (24) deliver a heating flow onto the visible surface of said tesserae
(13) before the sheet (12) is applied thereon.
23. Method as in claim 22, characterized in that said heating flow has a temperature of between about 20 and about 40 °C.
24. Panels of glass mosaic obtained by anyone of the manufacturing methods as defined
in claims 15 to 23, comprising a plurality of mosaic tesserae (13) arranged in a desired
geometric configuration, characterized in that they comprise a transparent supporting sheet (12) arranged on the visible face of
said mosaic tesserae (13).
25. Panels as in claim 24, characterized in that said supporting sheet (12) has at least a face equipped with gluing means before
it is applied onto said mosaic tesserae (13).
1. Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Tafeln aus Mosaiksteinen (13),
die dazu eingesetzt wird, mindestens eine Träger- und/oder Belagsschicht (12) auf
eine sichtbare Fläche der in einem Vorschubrahmen (14) angeordneten Mosaiksteine (13)
aufzubringen, wobei die Vorrichtung Zufuhreinrichtungen (16) und Aufbringeinrichtungen
zum Aufbringen der Schicht (12) umfasst, die mit den Zufuhreinrichtungen des Rahmens
(14) zusammenwirken,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die.Aufbringeinrichtungen Schneideeinrichtungen (20) umfassen, die in der Lage sind,
ein Segment (12a) der Schicht (12) zurechtzuschneiden, sowie
Saugtrommeldreheinrichtungen (18), die in der Lage sind, das Segment (12a) der Schicht
(12) zumindest zeitweise auf ihrer zylindrischen Außenfläche zu halten, und es auf
die Mosaiksteine (13) freizugeben.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Schneideeinrichtungen (20) in der Lage sind, auf die Schicht (12) einzuwirken,
wenn sie auf der Außenfläche der Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) gehalten wird.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
wobei die Schicht (12) eine mit Klebemittel versehene Fläche aufweist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Schicht (12) in der Lage ist, sich auf die Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) mit ihrer
Fläche ohne Klebemittel und mit einem Winkel so aufzuwickeln, dass die Zufuhrrichtung
umgekehrt und ihre mit Klebemittel versehene Fläche dem Rahmen (14) zugewandt ist.
4. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
sie mindestens eine der Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) nachgeordnete Druckwalze (21)
umfasst, wobei die Druckwalze (21) in der Lage ist, das Segment (12a) der Schicht
(12) gegen die Oberfläche der Mosaiksteine (13) zu drücken, um deren stabile Befestigung
zu erreichen.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) eine Hohltrommel umfassen, die innen mit Einrichtungen
ausgestattet ist, die in der Lage sind, einen Unterdruck zu erzeugen, sowie mit einer
Vielzahl von Löchern (19) auf ihrer zylindrischen Außenfläche.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) Einrichtungen umfassen, die in der Lage sind, die
Saugwirkung zumindest bei dem Schritt, wenn das Segment (12a) der Schicht (12) in
Übereinstimmung mit einem betreffenden, die Mosaiksteine (13) enthaltenden Rahmen
(14) freigegeben wird, zu unterbrechen.
7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Einrichtungen, die in der Lage sind, die Saugwirkung für einen Bereich, der im
Wesentlichen der Größe des Rahmens (14) entspricht, zu unterbrechen, mechanische Einrichtungen
umfassen, die in der Hohltrommel (18) angeordnet sind.
8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
sie Einrichtungen (22) zum Abgeben von Dampf oder zerstäubtem Wasser umfasst, die
so angeordnet sind, dass sie mit der sichtbaren Fläche der Mosaiksteine (13) zusammenwirken
und in der Lage sind, einen Strahl auf die Fläche abzugeben, um den Kleber auf der
Schicht (12) zu reaktivieren.
9. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) mit einem Mechanismus für abwechselnde Hub-/Senkbewegung
ausgestattet sind, um den freien Durchgang des Rahmens (14) zuzulassen, nachdem das
Segment der Schicht (12) freigegeben wurde.
10. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
sie in der Lage ist, die Träger- und/oder Belagsschicht (12) auf die sichtbare Fläche
der Mosaiksteine (13) aufzubringen.
11. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis einschließlich 10,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass,
falls die aufzubringende Schicht (12) mindestens zwei Lagen (112 und 212) umfasst,
wovon eine erste Lage (112) auf den Mosaiksteinen (13) angeordnet werden kann, und
mindestens eine zweite Lage (212) den Kleber aufweisen und entfernt werden kann, wenn
die erste Lage (112) mit der Saugtrommel (18) in Kontakt kommt, eine Wickelwalze (23)
im Wesentlichen parallel zur Saugtrommel (18) angeordnet ist, um die zweite Lage (212)
wieder aufzuwickeln, nachdem sie von der ersten Lage (112) gelöst wurde.
12. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
sie Einrichtungen (24) umfasst, die in der Lage sind, die sichtbare Fläche der den
Einrichtungen nachgeordneten Mosaiksteine (13) zu erwärmen, um die Schicht (12) aufzubringen.
13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Einrichtungen, die in der Lage sind, die sichtbare Fläche der Mosaiksteine (13)
zu erwärmen, mindestens ein Glied (24) zum Abgeben eines Heißluftstromes umfassen.
14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Einrichtungen, die in der Lage sind, die sichtbare Fläche der Mosaiksteine (13)
zu erwärmen, mindestens eine Strahlungswärmevorrichtung umfassen.
15. Verfahren zur Herstellung von Tafeln aus Mosaiksteinen (13) und insbesondere zum Aufbringen
mindestens einer Träger- und/oder Belagsschicht (12) auf eine sichtbare Fläche der
in einem Vorschubrahmen (14) angeordneten Mosaiksteine (13), wobei für das Verfahren
Zufuhreinrichtungen (16) und Aufbringeinrichtungen zum Aufbringen der Schicht (12)
eingesetzt werden, die mit den Zufuhreinrichtungen des Rahmens (14) zusammenwirken,
gekennzeichnet durch
die folgenden Schritte:
a) Vorsehen von Schneideeinrichtungen (20) zum Zurechtschneiden eines Segments (12a)
der Schicht (12);
b) zumindest zeitweises Halten des Segments (12a) der Schicht (12) auf der zylindrischen
Außenfläche von Saugtrommeldreheinrichtungen (18); und
c) Freigeben des Segments (12a) auf den die Mosaiksteine (13) enthaltenden Rahmen
(14).
16. Verfahren nach Anspruch 15,
wobei die Schicht (12) eine mit Klebemittel versehene Fläche aufweist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
vorgesehen ist, dass sich die Schicht (12) auf den Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) mit
ihrer Fläche ohne Klebemittel und mit einem Winkel so aufwickelt, dass die Zufuhrrichtung
umgekehrt wird und ihre mit Klebemittel versehene Fläche dem Rahmen (14) zugewandt
ist.
17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 15 oder 16,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
vorgesehen ist, dass mindestens eine den Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) nachgeordnete
Druckwalze (21) das Segment (12a) der Schicht (12) gegen die Oberfläche der Mosaiksteine
(13) drückt, um deren stabile Befestigung zu erreichen.
18. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 15 bis einschließlich 17,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
vorgesehen ist, die Saugwirkung der Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) zumindest bei dem
Schritt zu unterbrechen, wenn das Segment (12a) der Schicht (12) in Übereinstimmung
mit einem betreffenden, die Mosaiksteine (13) enthaltenden Rahmen (14) freigegeben
wird.
19. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 15 bis einschließlich 18,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
Einrichtungen (22) zum Abgeben von Dampf oder zerstäubtem Wasser, die so angeordnet
sind, dass sie mit der sichtbaren Fläche der Mosaiksteine (13) zusammenwirken, einen
Strahl auf die sichtbare Fläche abgeben, um den sich auf der Schicht (12) befindlichen
Kleber zu reaktivieren.
20. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 15 bis einschließlich 19,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
vorgesehen ist, die Saugtrommeleinrichtungen (18) abwechselnd nach oben und unten
zu bewegen, um den freien Durchgang des Rahmens (14) zuzulassen, nachdem das Segment
(12a) der Schicht (12) freigegeben wurde.
21. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 15 bis einschließlich 20,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
vorgesehen ist, die Träger- und/oder Belagsschicht (12) auf die sichtbare Fläche der
Mosaiksteine (13) aufzubringen.
22. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 15 bis einschließlich 21,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
Heizeinrichtungen (24) einen Wärmestrom an die sichtbare Fläche der Mosaiksteine (13)
abgeben, bevor die Schicht (12) darauf aufgebracht wird.
23. Verfahren nach Anspruch 22,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Wärmestrom eine Temperatur von ca. 20 bis ca. 40°C hat.
24. Tafeln aus Glasmosaik, die durch eines der in den Ansprüchen 15 bis 23 definierten
Herstellungsverfahren erhalten werden, die eine Vielzahl von Mosaiksteinen (13) umfassen,
die in einer gewünschten geometrischen Konfiguration angeordnet sind,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
sie eine transparente Trägerschicht (12) umfassen, die auf der sichtbaren Fläche der
Mosaiksteine (13) angeordnet ist.
25. Tafeln nach Anspruch 24,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Trägerschicht (12) mindestens eine mit Klebemittel versehene Fläche aufweist,
bevor sie auf die Mosaiksteine (13) aufgebracht wird.
1. Dispositif pour fabriquer des panneaux composés d'une mosaïque de tesselles (13),
servant à appliquer au moins une feuille de support et/ou de garnissage (12) sur une
face visible desdites tesselles (13) disposées à l'intérieur d'un cadre (14) animé
d'un mouvement d'avance, ledit dispositif comprenant un moyen d'avance (16) et un
moyen d'application pour appliquer ladite feuille (12) coopérant avec le moyen d'avance
dudit cadre (14), caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen d'application comporte un moyen coupant (20) apte à couper à un format
un segment (12a) de ladite feuille (12) et un moyen rotatif (18) formant tambour d'aspiration
apte à retenir au moins temporairement, sur sa surface extérieure cylindrique, ledit
segment (12a) de la feuille (12) et à le libérer sur ladite mosaïque composée de tesselles
(13).
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen coupant (20) est apte à agir sur ladite feuille (12) lorsqu'elle est
retenue sur la surface extérieure dudit moyen formant tambour d'aspiration (18).
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ladite feuille (12) comporte
une face équipée d'un moyen d'encollage, caractérisé en ce que ladite feuille (12) peut s'enrouler sur ledit moyen formant tambour d'aspiration
(18) par sa face sans moyen d'encollage et sur un angle servant à inverser le sens
d'avance, et à présenter vers ledit cadre (14) sa face équipée du moyen d'encollage.
4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins un rouleau presseur (21) disposé en aval dudit moyen formant
tambour d'aspiration (18), ledit rouleau presseur (21) étant apte à appuyer le segment
(12a) de ladite feuillé (12) contre la surface desdites tesselles (13) pour les fixer
d'une manière stable.
5. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen formant tambour d'aspiration (18) comporte un tambour creux équipé intérieurement
d'un moyen apte à créer une dépression, et d'une pluralité de trous (19) sur sa surface
extérieure cylindrique.
6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen formant tambour d'aspiration (18) comporte un moyen apte à interrompre
l'aspiration au moins lors de l'étape où le segment (12a) de ladite feuille (12) est
libéré en regard d'un cadre correspondant (14) contenant lesdites tesselles (13).
7. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen apte à interrompre l'aspiration comporte un moyen mécanique disposé à
l'intérieur dudit tambour creux (18) sur une zone correspondant sensiblement aux dimensions
dudit cadre (14).
8. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un moyen (22) pour délivrer de la vapeur ou de l'eau nébulisée coopérant
avec la face visible de ladite mosaïque composée de tesselles (13) et apte à délivrer
un jet contre ladite face pour réactiver la colle présente sur ladite feuille (12).
9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen formant tambour d'aspiration (18) est équipé. d'un moyen de levage/abaissement
alternés pour permettre le libre transfert du cadre (14) après que le segment de la
feuille (12) a été libéré.
10. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il est apte à appliquer ladite feuille de support et/ou de garnissage (12) sur la
face visible desdites tesselles (13).
11. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 10 inclusivement, caractérisé en ce que, dans le cas où ladite feuille (12) à appliquer comporte au moins deux couches (112
et 212), dont une première couche (112) est apte à être disposée sur ladite mosaïque
composée de tesselles (13) et au moins une deuxième couche (212) est apte à supporter
la colle et à être retirée lorsque ladite première couche (112) arrive au contact
dudit tambour d'aspiration (18), un cylindre enrouleur (23) est disposé sensiblement
parallèlement audit tambour d'aspiration (18) pour réenrouler ladite deuxième couche
(212) après qu'elle a été détachée de ladite première couche (112).
12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un moyen (24) apte à chauffer la face visible desdites tesselles (13),
disposé en amont dudit moyen pour appliquer ladite feuille (12).
13. Dispositif selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen apte à chauffer la face visible desdites tesselles (13) comporte au moins
une barre (23) délivrant un flux d'air chaud.
14. Dispositif selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen apte à chauffer la face visible desdites tesselles (13) comporte au moins
un dispositif de chauffage par rayonnement.
15. Procédé pour fabriquer des panneaux de mosaïque composée de tesselles (13) et en particulier
pour appliquer au moins une feuille de support et/ou de garnissage (12) sur une face
visible de la mosaïque composée de tesselles (13) disposée à l'intérieur d'un cadre
(14) animé d'un mouvement d'avance, le procédé utilisant un moyen d'avance (16) et
un moyen d'application pour appliquer ladite feuille (12) en coopération avec le moyen
d'avance dudit cadre (14), caractérisé par les étapes consistant à : a) la fourniture d'un moyen coupant (20) pour couper à
un format un segment (12a) de la feuille (12) ; b) retenir, au moins temporairement,
sur la surface extérieure cylindrique du moyen rotatif formant tambour d'aspiration
(18) ledit segment (12a) de la feuille (12) ; et c) libérer ledit segment sur ledit
cadre (14) contenant ladite mosaïque composée de tesselles (13).
16. Procédé selon la revendication 15, dans lequel ladite feuille (12) a une face équipée
d'un moyen d'encollage, caractérisé en ce qu'il permet que ladite feuille (12) s'enroule sur ledit moyen formant tambour d'aspiration
(18) par sa face sans moyen d'encollage et sur un angle servant à inverser le sens
d'avance et à présenter vers ledit cadre (14) sa face équipée d'un moyen d'encollage.
17. Procédé selon la revendication 15 ou 16, caractérisé en ce qu'il permet qu'au moins un rouleau presseur (21), disposé en aval dudit moyen formant
tambour d'aspiration (18), appuie le segment de la feuille (12) contre la surface
desdites tesselles (13) afin de fixer ceux-ci d'une manière stable.
18. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 15 à 17 inclusivement, caractérisé en ce qu'il permet d'interrompre l'aspiration exercée par ledit moyen formant tambour d'aspiration
(18) au moins lors de l'étape où le segment de la feuille (12) est libéré en regard
d'un cadre correspondant (14) contenant lesdites tesselles (13).
19. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 15 à 18 inclusivement, caractérisé en ce qu'un moyen (22) servant à délivrer de la vapeur ou de l'eau nébulisée, disposé en regard
de la face visible de ladite mosaïque composée de tesselles (13), délivre un jet contre
ladite face visible afin de réactiver la colle disposée sur ladite feuille (12).
20. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 15 à 19 inclusivement, caractérisé en ce qu'il permet un mouvement d'élévation et d'abaissement alternés dudit moyen formant tambour
d'aspiration (18) pour permettre le libre transfert du cadre (14) après que le segment
(12a) de la feuille (12) a été libéré.
21. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 15 à 20 inclusivement, caractérisé en ce qu'il permet d'appliquer ladite feuille de support et/ou de garnissage (12) sur la face
visible desdites tesselles (13).
22. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 15 à 21 inclusivement, caractérisé en ce qu'un moyen de chauffage (24) délivre un flux de chauffage sur la surface visible desdites
tesselles (13) avant que la feuille (12) ne soit appliquée sur ceux-ci.
23. Procédé selon la revendication 22, caractérisé en ce que ledit flux chauffant a une température d'environ 20 à environ 40°C.
24. Panneaux de mosaïque de verre réalisés selon l'un quelconque des procédés de fabrication
définis dans les revendications 15 à 23, comprenant une pluralité de tesselles (13)
de mosaïque disposés suivant une configuration géométrique voulue, caractérisés en ce qu'ils comportent une feuille de support transparente (12) disposée sur la face visible
de ladite mosaïque composée de tesselles (13).
25. Panneaux selon la revendication 24, caractérisés en ce que ladite feuille de support (12) a au moins une face munie d'un moyen d'encollage avant
l'application de celle-ci sur ladite mosaïque composée de tesselles (13).